Sharks’ pregame notes vs. Jets; Couture, Burish and Hamilton

A few notes to pass along before the puck drops between the Sharks and Jets in about four hours here at SAP Center.

Logan Couture, who was hurt Monday after he blocked a shot by Calgary’s Mark Giordano, says he’s “50-50” for tonight’s game. Today, he came out early for the morning skate and it was easy to tell he wasn’t quite 100 percent. He wasn’t part of the line rushes near the start of the skate and said later he’ll reevaluate his status just before the game to determine whether he’ll dress against the Jets. You can read the story that was posted earlier here.

Adam Burish appears lost for the remainder of the regular season with broken fingers in his left hand. Coach Todd McLellan said its possible Burish will be ready for the start of the playoffs in roughly 3 1/2 weeks, but that the team will need a few more days to determine where Burish is at physically. You can read the story that’s been posted here.

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Joe Thornton is playing in his 1,200th career game in the NHL tonight. The captain hasn’t been really been paying attention to where he stood on games played, and added he couldn’t remember much about his first game other than it was against Phoenix.

Forward Freddie Hamilton was called up from Worcester this morning, and feels he’s improved in all facets of his game since he last was with the Sharks in early January. He said the amount of minutes he’s logged in the AHL has helped develop his game and improve his confidence.

“Playing a lot over the year, you’re getting better at everything. Just trying to get stronger too, and trying to improve in all of those areas,” Hamilton said. “If you’re playing a lot, you’re going to get more confident and you’re going to make better plays.”

In case you’re wondering why Hamilton was called up and not Bracken Kearns, who has filled that fourth line role to some acclaim before with the Sharks, here’s one reason: Hamiton has 19 points in his 32 games since he was sent back to the AHL in January. Kearns has six points (one goal) in 12 games since he was sent back just after the Olympic break in late February.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen him,” McLellan said today. “The National Hockey League game has changed a little bit. It’s gotten a little more intense, a little quicker, a little harder, so he’s going back into the testing field, if you will. If he does play, he’ll get that opportunity and get a read on where’s he at. But I don’t want him to get into the game with a bunch of clutter in his head. I want him to do what he’s been doing (in Worcester).”

Can’t join the group that thinks Niemi deserved a Vezina for last year. Bobs was better — and in the ‘showdown’ game, Bobs was a bunch better.

ZEKE

Mostly pointing out how Vlasic really is an elite d-man, even if his point totals aren’t as big as some of the others in Norris consideration. Of course, the Norris usually goes to a d-man who gets numbers from the PP, and Vlasic doesn’t get much PP time.

GP_hockeyhappens

So, if you wanted to discuss this, and we know you don’t really want to, my response would have been something like:

“OK, we get it. How many times are you going to say the Sharks chances to win the division are diminishing? It’s happening nearly every post, sometimes more than once. At the moment, Sharks are still in first and the Ducks have to prove they win the division by getting to winning point level. They still need to play the game!

And why are you so afraid of playing the Kings in the first round? I am not. Might be the better time to play them.”

And your response would have been:

“Can’t you have a real hockey discussion you immature child?”

GP_hockeyhappens

Vezina is not about one game. If anyone that voted Bob for that one game needs to have the vote cancelled.

And if it was one game that counts, it’s the game (whenever that was) that didn’t get the BlueJackets into the POs.

ZEKE

I do think the Sharks are deeper than they’ve been in the past, but they are also near a ‘tipping point’ in regards to injuries. Missing Burish isn’t a huge deal, but missing Hertl and Raffi is.

Now with Couture hurting, we’re a lot less dangerous. Thought Marleau looked really good last night, but without Logan going, Patrick’s strong play was neutralized quite a bit.

Buddy Elf

“I’ll also say this — I’m not afraid of LAK. They may be better than Minny (likely the 7th seed), but there’s a ton of travel to go there and back if its a 6-7 game series — which isn’t a good thing for round 2.”

Especially if the other matchup would be LA/ANA… they would have ZERO travel in round 1, further magnifying the the travel to and from Minny.

Buddy Elf

Always taking cheap shots, huh? I wasn’t even in the conversation.

And I need to grow up?

But, while we’re at it, you made the claim that I was the one arguing with you about “left his feet”… So now, the burden of proof is on you. Prove where I was the one arguing with you about “left his feet”. Otherwise, you’re just lying again.

ZEKE

If you’re voting on the Vezina and 2 top candidates play each other late in the season — its a game you watch. Because you can see both guys in one game and see how they do. And their playing n the same ice with the same refs, etc. Given that no one can come close to watching every minute of every game, its what rational people do.

They went head to head twice in the final weeks of the season.

In first of those 2 games, Bobs shut out the Sharks on 30 shots while Niemi gave up 4 goals on 26 shots and got pulled late in the game.

The next time they played, Bobs gave up 3 on 35 shots, Niemi gave up 4 on just 22 shots.

ZEKE

I dunno, that cross town traffic in SoCal … it can take a toll ..

GP_hockeyhappens

So you’re saying the voters watched two Niemi games? 😉

Except for Columbus, Chitown, Detroit, Nashville, and a couple others, the Sharks didn’t play anywhere East of the Mississippi.

East didn’t watch enough Nemo and Jackets didn’t make the POs.

IMO, Niemi was better.

Maybe there were more Russians voting than Fins? 🙂

GP_hockeyhappens

Well, from what I understand, you don’t want to be in the same neighborhood as the Staple Center — just what I heard.

ZEKE

How many CBJ games did you watch?

MLBSF

Well I knew the wasted opportunities against Florida, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg would come back to haunt us.

The Sharks can’t beat LA down there, so it’s not looking real good to be honest. See, playing down to the competition absolutely and postively has consequences. smh

CMoreSharks

About as many as you? 🙂

Nemo deserved it last year. This year he’s been mostly solid, but not top 3.

GP_hockeyhappens

ZEKE, that is a bad question because whatever my answer is it will prove my point.

I could have the same question for you.

The answer is though , to my recollection, probably 10-15 games or parts of them plus highlight reels every day. For me and my opinion, I think I saw enough to see that Nemo was better.

We on the west coast might have a chance to see more games because of time zone concerns. I personally have a great chance because I work at a home office mostly.

This season is different because I didn’t opt-in for NHL Center Ice. And NBC and NHLN don’t show many Jacket games if at all.

Johnny San Jose

NB — As a goaltender, you’re absolutely, positively NOT ALLOWED to give up a goal to the near post… especially from that angle. Inexcusable.
Now… I’ll agree that the defense absolutely needs to play better.
Phil — Same thing goes in soccer as it does in hockey. Give a guy a shot from outside that I can see… The save will be made 99% of the time. Traffic in front, i.e. corner kicks or balls being played across the goal, that’s a much tougher situation and you really need to rely on your defense. That’s why you see goal keepers (in soccer) screaming at their defenders.
As in hockey, soccer is a team game and you need to trust each other. When one part of your defense or goal keeper lets you down, then you feel you need to overcompensate and that’s when you’re fishing the ball out of your net for trying to do too much.

GP_hockeyhappens

I’ll will say he’ll get votes and consideration because he will probably lead the NHL in wins.

grd22

kings are playing playoff style hockey now – I love our sharks-”but” getting beat by the jets ain’t cutting it.im pretty sure we will be playing l.a. in the first round.

GP_hockeyhappens

“…and with your attitude you’ll end up with a fist in the face. I’m not threatening, you, just telling you your future…”

Noooo, that isn’t threatening. Not at all. Might as well tell me I’d me sleeping with the fishes, but that might be because you told me I was “tired. Kabeesh?”

GP_hockeyhappens

I’ll use some integrity unlike a couple others here. I won ‘t edit my post to cover for my potential mistake.

I may need to back track on who will have the most wins.

Looks like with Avs latest win, Varlamov is at 36 also. Then, there are the goalies at 35 and 34. Seems this race for most wins by a goalie isn’t over yet.

NB Finfan

Agree that GK is not supposed to let shots in from that angle. But 2nd goal does not go in between Niemi and post. It hits inside of right knee and squirts through five hole.

Puck hits left leg it stays out. Niemi makes no play, puck goes to other side of ice. Just a fluky situation.

GP_hockeyhappens

I may need to clarify that? Sharks wouldn’t want to stay at a hotel near Staples. I don’t know if that is still true.

GP_hockeyhappens

Freddie Hamilton was sent back Woosta.

grd22

gotcha.

Phat Stat Phil

Say, wasn’t there a point in the last few games or so where Patty took everyone aside in the second and gave a pep talk? I’m trying to find a reference.

Phat Stat Phil

Bob was definitely a strong candidate and he looked pretty good this year too.

Phat Stat Phil

I’d be happy to see Greiss take them into the playoffs. He’s starting to finally get the recognition he’s deserved for so long.

grd22

yeah’ learned to drive in orange county in the 70’s.i go there from time to time to visit and drive with white knuckles now a days-very stressful.

Angel From Texas

Yes, that was against the panthers.

Angel From Texas

It’s scary to think that hertl only played 35 games and he was so close to 20 goals. It looks like we’re going to play LA, I’ve accepted it. I rather face them while we’re somewhat healthy, rather than facing them in the later rounds while we’re playing through the unknown injuries.

Tom (fm Quinzee)

Before heading out to that digital salt mine, just wanted to say thanks to all who participated in the discussion on goaltending that Johnny San Jose began w/ a post about 6 hours ago now. Those being Johnny, Phil, GP, NBFinFan, Stevo & Reno (sorry if I missed anyone). Actually, to be more accurate, Johnny was responding to Phil, and Matthew & Alex also chimed in. It was a good discussion, without rancor and name-calling. FWIW, I don’t think Nemo necessarily deserved the Vezina over Bobs, but I think that was a season that showcased Nemo’s talent. I think he’s shown some of that since the Olympics. Last night was not his bright and shining moment.

GP_hockeyhappens

I heard today on NHL Live from the Twitter Fantasy Hockey Schlub that Mike Smith is indeed listed Day to Day with a leg injury.

GP_hockeyhappens

Ah, if it’s in the form of Coffee, I am signing up for I-V distribution.

I can’t sleep anyway, so why not enjoy the Java all the time? :0)

Johnny San Jose

Tom — You’re pretty easy to get along with even when I don’t fully agree with you. Last night was a stinker for many players. Nemo is our # 1… no doubt. He wasn’t as good as he needed to be to keep a flailing team in the game.
Have a good weekend… I’ll be busy with my son’s competitive soccer season “kicking off” tomorrow, my daughter’s softball game and end it on Sunday with a “Old Man’s” soccer game of my own.
Pray I’m walking on Monday!

Johnny San Jose

NB — I agree that it didn’t go in, short-side. My point is that NOBODY should score from that angle… especially 5-hole. It was fluky but still inexcusable. *shrug* it happens sometimes… Just like getting credit for a goal that is going wide, hits the inside of your hand and deflects into the net. Brutal 🙂

Z.SharkRA

Most likely gonna be The Kings in round one. Time to start resting people rather than get beat up trying to keep ahead of the Ducks. I know there are a million bad reasons for this kind of thinking… I don’t care. I’d rather we were healthy and rested going into the Playoffs. Why not try this tactic? Nothing else has worked yet, has it?

GP_hockeyhappens

I do agree rest is needed but you take your foot off the gas, injuries will happen. When you’re in the lead, why would give it up if you can do anything to try and keep it. There is some parts that aren’t in the control of the Sharks, but I could bet the other teams won’t be laying down.

Why wouldn’t the Oilers want to play spoiler to the Ducks chances?

Z.SharkRA

The Oilers can play free and loose with nothing to lose, but I’m betting they won’t beat the Ducks. The chance that the Ducks will lose more than they win down the stretch is slim to none. Sharks just need to make sure the Kings don’t pass them in the standings. We’ll have a seven game series while the Ducks will sweep whoever they play and be rested and waiting. Bad scenario. Sharks should rest key players. It’s not like the team has all new players and need to ‘start clicking’ with each other. They’re fine. Tired, but fine.

renoshark

Ducks won’t sweep anyone. Especially Phoenix. I can see the Yotes making that a 6-game series.

renoshark

Minny is playing their way to the 8th seed right now. Phoenix will probably pass them here shortly.

Stevo

I’d like LA to play ANA. What a meatgrinder The winner is going to be exhausted and really banged up. Even w/o the normal PO travel.

SJ v MIN… SJ can handle the travel, they will come out of the series with fewer bumps and bruises and likely an extra game of rest. IMO.

Buddy Elf

The Sharks already had the most travel over the season… having the most travel in the playoffs won’t help much at all.

Yes, the LA/ANA will be a tough series, but not traveling AT ALL will be a huge benefit.

The Pacific Division is going to be super tough to get through regardless.

Stevo

As you say, they have the most travel, and yet they are still one of the top teams in the NHL. Apparently they can handle it. That’s not to discount your point, which is valid, but all things considered, I see a benefit in a shorter series with MIN where we have fewer bruises, less fatigue due to that, and an extra game of rest.

My calculus adds up to a stronger team coming out of R1 than if Sharks stayed in Cali for a bruising 7-gamer.

Now, if Sharks go 7 games in R1, then it would be better to play LAK.

Sharkita

If LA is who we need to beat then bring it!!!

GP_hockeyhappens

And if healthy, Smith could steal the series.

But the bottom line…nothing is a done deal yet except a spot in the POs.